New Jersey Could Make Three of a Kind

Could New Jersey be the next state to make the leap from tradition to social activism? If a commission started two years ago to evaluate the states civil-union law has anything to do with it, the answer will be a resounding Yes!

A story in the Christianity Today Blog reports that the New Jersey Civil Union Review Commission has finished its two year, 79 page review of the Garden States civil-union law, passed in 2006. And the conclusion?

“The final report…says it gathered ‘overwhelming evidence’ that the civil union law not only fails to provide the same protections as marriage, it also has created economic, medical and emotional hardships for gay couples.”

The commission is seeking to push New Jersey lawmakers to legalize same-sex marriage as quickly as possible. If such an effort is successful New Jersey would be the first state to legislate gay “marriage.” States such as Connecticut and Massachusetts have legalized same-sex marriage by virtue of state Supreme Court orders. In each case the people of the state were left completely out of the process that changed the laws in their states.

But several comments from articles on this story have stuck with me and deserve brief comment as we continue to bring news of the fight to retain the traditional definition of marriage in America.

1. “The state panel concluded that denying same-sex couples the right to marry is as unjust as government imposing racial segregation laws against African-Americans.”

I just cannot believe that same-sex marriage advocates are still using this completely absurd analogy to try and stir the passions of the American people into supporting their cause. I venture to say that only a minority of people would be so blatantly arrogant as to equate the struggles of a people group to that of a group of people. There is considerable difference between skin color and choice of sexual orientation. And as I have mentioned before, we all know of ex-homosexuals, but I have never heard of an ex-African American.

2. “Full equality for all residents.”

I wonder if New Jersey is as equally passionate about securing the rights of the unborn residents within its borders. Lawmakers seem very gung-ho about tirelessly pursuing what they believe to be civil rights for the gay and lesbian community around them. But what about the unborn residents of New Jersey that are murdered each day through abortion, are these residents second-class citizens undeserving of rights?

3. “The commission’s interim report in February found civil unions are ‘not clear to the general public’ and confer ‘second-class status’ on the couples who form them.”

Could it be that the status given to same-sex couples by the general public has nothing to do with the term designated to them but simply the fact that the general public does not believe that the relationships of same-sex couples truly is equal to that of a heterosexual couple? Perhaps they are given a “second-class status” because that is how the public feels about their “unions.” And even if same-sex “marriage” is granted in New Jersey that will do little to change the minds of the general public; and could in fact cause greater rifts between them because of the actions of lawmakers.

It does not take a great leap of faith to see how people could conclude that same sex “unions” or “marriages” are not equal to those of heterosexual couples. The most obvious point here is the fact that no same-sex couple can produce children in and of themselves, no matter how hard they try. And since one of the main purposes for marriage is to propagate, the fact that same-sex couples cannot do this speaks to the legitimacy of their relationship in the eyes of much of society.

In an article for Citizenlink, Pat Brannigan, executive director of New Jersey Catholic Conference, spoke about the personnel of the committee and the opinion of the general public,

“If you look at the membership of that committee, they’re all advocates. It’s an advocacy group. It doesn’t mean that that is the conclusion that society and people in general will come to.”

Quite honestly, it’s really just troubling to see a few lawmakers take the law into their own hands and decide to push laws through without the knowledge or consent of the people. When did they acquire the right to do that?

People in New Jersey ought to be furious with their elected officials that have decided to ignore them and simply do what they want, regardless of who likes it or not. Residents should be calling, writing, or e-mailing their lawmakers constantly, demanding that such an issue be put before the people.

It should be obvious by now that much of America does not believe in same-sex “marriage” and does not want it legalized. The most supporting fact for such a conclusion is that to date 30 states have amended their state constitution to define marriage as between on man and one woman. This has been done not just because that is the heartfelt conviction of the people, but also so that courts and lawmakers cannot come along and legislate for them, without their consent.